Keir Starmer has unveiled a new funding initiative to enhance security at mosques following a recent suspected arson attack on one such facility.
The government has announced a £10 million allocation to support mosques and Muslim faith centers in safeguarding themselves against hate crimes and assaults. This funding will assist in implementing security measures like CCTV installation, alarm systems, secure fencing, and hiring security personnel.
The decision to provide this funding coincides with Keir Starmer’s visit to the Peacehaven mosque in East Sussex, which sustained damage to its front entrance and a car in a fire incident on October 4. Three individuals have been arrested by Sussex Police on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life in relation to the fire.
Expressing his sentiments, Mr. Starmer stated, “Attacks on any community are attacks on our entire nation and our values. This funding will offer Muslim communities the protection necessary for peaceful and secure living. I aim for a unified Britain that ensures safety for all, including safeguarding places of worship from those promoting division through hate and violence.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also condemned the attack on the Peacehaven Mosque, highlighting the importance of defending the rights of individuals to practice their faith without fear or prejudice. She emphasized the need for solidarity against those who aim to sow discord through violence and intimidation.
Akeela Ahmed, CEO of the British Muslim Trust, welcomed the funding, emphasizing the significance of freedom of religious belief in British society. She emphasized that all individuals deserve to live without fear or intimidation due to their identity, especially within Muslim communities that have faced vandalism, arson, and abuse at their places of worship.
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